Children's book from 1950s or earlier?

[lifestooshort123]

(moved for more traffic)

Hi, I'm in my late 60s and have a bit of a selective memory these days. I'd love to reread a book I remember from my childhood if anyone can help me identify it please? All I can remember is the chapter where the eponymous heroine is confined to bed with a debilitating illness and, while coming to terms with the disability possibly being permanent, finds she can communicate with the boy over street by means of sending messages along a wire/string between their bedrooms. I believe there was a Grandfather in the house (or am I muddling that with Heidi?) and I think the book had a happy ending. It was also probably set in America. I feel a bit foolish as I'm fairly sure it is a well-known book but I can't quite grasp the title! I'd be eternally grateful for any help, TIA.

The debilitating illness bit sounds like What Katy Did although I don't remember a boy across the road in that.

I thought the same @DappledThings, but there's definitely no boy across the street, nor grandfather.
The nearest I could think the Katie Did books is when she goes to school and little Bella puts messages hanging out of her window pretending they're from Katie to the boys' school.

It does ring a bell though. I was wondering if it was one of the Bullerby children stories, but I don't remember them being ill at any point. But the messages on a string is very like them.

Perhaps I'm muddling up the 2 stories do you think? I'll order What Katy Did and will enjoy it anyway! Thank you both for the pointers.

I think the book that you are talking about is called 'Marianne Dreams' by Catherine Storr. She is sick in bed and through pictures and dreams she communicates with a boy called Mark who is also sick.

Shouldhavedoneitsooner
Possibly but it doesn't ring any bells.

Is it ‘jack and Jill’ by louisa May Alcott?

Don't remember reading that one but could be? I'll see if I can get a kindle copy, thanks!

I remember this but cant put a name to it....will think hard

Sounds a bit like The Secret Garden too.

Thanks everyone x

Could this possibly be My Sister the Horse? I read it in my childhood in the 1970s.

It's set in the US and has a little girl, Alice, whose younger sister thinks she's a horse. Alice is injured and in bed at one point and I remember her communicating with her friends across the road with messages tied to a rope and pulley system.

Hi - not sure if you ever found out the answer to this, but it sounds like it could be ‘Jack and Jill’ by Louisa May Alcott.

Marianne Dreams' by Catherine Storr

That book scared the living daylights out of me when I read it.

Wouldn't read it again for all the tea in China.

Could it be Pollyanna by E H Porter?

@EatsShootsAndRuns

Marianne Dreams' by Catherine Storr

That book scared the living daylights out of me when I read it.

Wouldn't read it again for all the tea in China.

Terrified me too!

I had to buy another copy as an adult to re -read and put the ghost of it to rest

WillWeBeOk
Oh heavens, you are amazing! It is indeed Jack and Jill by Alcott! I've just flicked through it on Google and it brought it all back to me. I remember learning (subconsciously) so many of life's lessons from this dear little book. You have a super memory and I'm so grateful - I will write the answer down so I never forget it again! I'm also going to reread all the other suggestions - innocent times.
Thank you again x